The rally has a unique format. The rally "starts" thirty days earlier, when the rally pack and bonus listings are delivered via email at midnight mountain time. I poured over the list and entered them into mapping software, until the wee hours. After a week, a plan developed. There was a 48 state bonus that provided an interesting route across the US, and there were lots of high value bonus locations that could be reached by stretching the route into some key locations around the country. I committed to a plan, and loaded up the locations into the main and backup GPS units. Next Stop. SLC.
After a 750 mile warm-up ride from Fremont, CA. I arrived at the Holiday Inn near the SLC airport. I checked in with the rally team, and rode the odometer check course. My rally plan was turned in. No additions could be made to my quest from now on. Later that evening, we all had a good pre-rally dinner and meeting. The rally would start at precisely 10:10 AM Thursday.
Day 1:
10:10 came quickly, and we were all off. Normally, everyone would head off in multiple directions. But there was a special bonus opportunity in Murray UT. We converged on a local indoor range, where arrangements had been made for us to shoot the machine guns of our choice. I chose a HK MP5. Fun! Others chose the mighty SAW. As I was leaving, I could hear it firing, through the range walls. Next stop, a local Five Guys, for a burger and a receipt. As I waited for my burger, Wendy C. popped in, bought a water, and left. Next, it was on to Wendover, UT, for a picture of the hangar where the Enola Gay was prepped for her nuclear mission.
Later I was to visit the Enola Gay in Virginia as part of a large combo bonus. Off to CA to see some bridges. I stopped at the Auburn Gorge bridge, for a quick photo. Another rider's bike decided to lie down there, so I helped him wake it up, then left for the Golden Gate. It wasn't too golden, as it was now dark, and completely enveloped in fog. Picture taking proved a challenge, as the police don't like you stopping around the bridge. Still, I found away, and then headed through the city for my first nights rest, at home! It was a short stop - 5 hours.
Day 2:
4AM came too quickly an it was off to Kernville airport for anothe unique experience, lawnmower racing. After some quick instructions, I turned couple "fast laps". Those things do not handle!
Time to head for San Diego.
I made good time and arrived at the USS Midway for a quick picture- one of three needed for a big combo bonus. I also took the opportunity to collect water from the bay, qualifying as the Pacific ocean.
Then it was off to New Mexico. Traffic did not cooperate, and by 10:30, I stopped in Tucson for the night, since there was no place to stop for the night in the next 200 miles.
Day 3:
Headed out to Roswell, NM for a couple bonuses. Riding through White Sands was beautiful, as I slipped over the southern end of the continental divide. The desert heat was in full effect.
Next stop, Fort Worth. Along the way, I stopped at Kermit, TX, part of a progressive bonus honoring Ken Morton, winner of the first Ten n Ten.
On the way to Ft. Worth, the radar shows a strong storm cell over the highway ahead. I ducked into a mini mart, and watched for it to pass. The cell overturned a truck and caused havoc on the highway. Once it cleared, I moved on through a lighter rain. Along the way, I stopped at the WASP museum, and the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame. A night at Holiday Inn Express closed out the day.
Day 4:
Part of my plan was visiting 48 states, so from Ft Worth it was up to Oklahoma, then across to Arkansas, on the way to Louisiana. It was now steaming hot. Hurricane Isaac was passing over Florida on it's way into the gulf. It was fun riding the highway as it passed over the bayous and swamps on the way into New Orleans.
Next it was Biloxi, MS. I visited the Tomb of the Unknown Confederate Soldier. The grounds were closed, but a helpful security guard showed me a good spot to take the photo through the fence. I also stopped to gather water from the gulf on Biloxi beach. It was sunny and beautiful, but no one was there. Evacuation was already starting, so the beach was empty.
I needed a photo of the USS Alabama. I arrived in Mobile at dusk, and just got the picture before the ship disappeared.
Swung through the Florida Panhandle, then back into AL, stopping in Evergreen for the night.
Day 5:
Georgia was a next stop, visiting Stone Mountain, and a gun-shaped BBQ smoker.
I cut through the corner of South Carolina and into North Carolina. I stopped at Biltmore Estate for a photo of the sign - You can't even see the estate without paying for a ticket.
Into Tennessee. I headed for the holiest of NASCAR shrines- Bristol Motor Speedway. It was Monday, and the race was on Saturday night. I needed a picture of the raceway, and a program. Iwas a little late, as the last vendor was packing up, and there were only a few t-shirts available. No bonus, still, it was impressive.
The next stop was another Kermit. This time in WV. The roads through Kentucky explain why so many road racers come from here. They also benefit from massive pork-barrel spending. Beautiful winding high speed roads with no traffic! Wound my way into Kermit in mountain pitch blackness. Getting out was another thing. The GPS refused to route me out. Friendly locals gave better instructions - down to the double crossing, turn left, follow to the old bank with the white columns, turn left to the big highway ,and turn left towards Virginia. Worked like a charm, and I spent the night in Charlotte WV.
Day 6:
First stop, Shenandoah National Park, Then on across Virginia to the National Air and Space Museum near Dulles Airport. This is an amazing location, and I could have easily spent the day, or week there. As it was, a picture of the Enola Gay, and the Discovery shuttle would do.
Now I headed into DC. I was trying to get to the Pentagon Memorial, but there was no parking and absolutely no photography. Arggghh! Headed to Ford's Theater, but determined that I would be late for John Wilkes Booth's grave. It was worth more, and I headed there in gridlock traffic. Arrived 15 minuts before closing.
Then it was on to Dover Delaware. Visited the Monster Mile (another NASCAR location) and snapped "Miles".
A short dinner at Chipotle, and off to New Jersey via Pennsylvania. I found my way to the Rosicrucian Pyramid. A couple large barking and snarling dogs barred my path to the bonus. A quick call to the RM and a Spot "OK" secured my bonus. I then crossed into New Jersey and found a hotel for the night.
I was now 6 hours behind schedule.
Day 7:
New York City! Rode over the Verrazano Narrows bridge, and down around to the base for a good photo. Bridge bonus secured! Back over the bridge to Staten island for a view of Lady Liberty. I stumbled across Liberty Park and had an excellent vantage point.
Then it was through the Holland Tunnel into the city. Although it was only 7AM, the place was hopping. Traffic was terrible. I found my way to Ground Zero, but the construction and police presence made a photo or visit impossible. Time to move on. Next it was up to Terrrytown, for a picture of Rough Point. Once again GPS refused to route bme into Rhode Island. In the process I missed the Rhode Island Statehouse bonus. I did go down into Newport. What a beautiful spot. Visited America's oldest pub, The Breakers Estate, the Egypt Air Memorial, and gathered water from the Atlantic.
Passed through Connecticut, and visited another battleship in Fall River Massachusetts, then headed north into New Hampshire, and then to Maine. I had a freshly baked calzone in Kittery, ME for dinner. No Lobster anywhere! Now every mile would bring me closer to the finish.
I traveled to the covered bridge, then into Springfield, VT for the night.
Day 8:
Visited the Washington Memorial in Bennington, VT, and then dripped into upstate New York. Stopped at the Jello Museum where some nice little old ladies took my picture and asked if I'd had my breakfast Jello!
Niagra Falls was a special treat. Much more impressive than I expected.
The rest of upstate New York, not so much. I took a quick side trip to Lake Erie, gathering Great Lake water. Another combo bonus done!
Headed into Cleveland, now about 12 hours behind. There were two bonuses located in the shadow of the Cleveland Browns' stadium. Unfortunately, a game was about to start, and there was incredible traffic. Managed one photo. Picked up Michigan and Illinois, then stopped for the night.
Day 9: Headed up to Chicago. I really messed up and couldn't find either brewery. The museum wouldn't open for another hour. Oh well, off towards Nebraska. I had originally planned to go to Wisconsin and Minnesota, but the loss of time meant routes needed shortening. Also, Hurricane Isaac had trashed New Orleans, and its waves of rain and wind were centered over Kansas and Missouri. So straight across Iowa into Nebraska it was, stopping just short of Sydney for the night.
At this point, I was pretty fried. I decided to sleep later, have a good breakfast and then head straight to SLC.
Day 10:
Morning came, and I was off. I decided to drop into Colorado, as far as Ft. Collins, and get a bonus. I also stopped at a Wyoming fireworks establishment. There was a bonus to bring back a non-firecracker firework for a bonus. Back on 80, I headed up over the continental divide again. Near Rawhide, a major storm cell sent me for shelter. it pelted the area wit hail, and lots of lightning. It passed in about 30 minutes, and I continued on toward Salt Lake.
I encountered another storm at the Utah line, but it was more rain than anything, and I pushed through. I arrived at the hotel around 6PM. Tired, and a little bit disappointed, wondering if I really wanted to do this any more, or if I should cancel my IBR entry.
Seeing Steve's smiling face and the welcomes of Cletha, Eric and others at the finish made it all worthwhile. I checked in, cleaned up, and joined the gang in the bar for my first beer in 10 days, along with the best steak I ever ate :) Then I went to my room, and sorted the collection of receipts and checked the photos against the list of bonuses I had submitted. Satisfied, I slept.
Finish:
After a nice breakfast, It was down for scoring. The number of bonuses captured was encouraging. Its easy to get discouraged by the missed bonuses and route changes during the rally, but seeing how many I did get cheered me up. Over 90 locations visited and documented. Other riders rolled in, with Ken M the last in. Every one made it back safe and sound.
The awards banquet was as fun as ever - good food and company. I was astounded and pleased to place tenth, with just under 400,000 points, 38 states and 8500 miles. To contrast, Ken M won with almost 800k points and 11,000 plus miles. WOW!
After the awards, we retired to the bar for BS and stories. A few of the fireworks found their way out to the patio, which were fun until the front desk reached their fun limit.
Home:
Monday was another travel day - the 768 miles back to Fremont. It was strange just riding home, without a schedule or a bonus to get. I got home safely. No mechanical problems, and the only failure was my radar detector, which drowned west of Ft Worth and never recovered. I still hope it will dry out and work again.
Thanks to MERA and Steve for putting on another great adventure.
